Because of increasing evidence of damage to the ozone layer, chlorofluorocarbon
ID: 983343 • Letter: B
Question
Because of increasing evidence of damage to the ozone layer, chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) production was banned in 1996. However, there are about 100 million auto air conditioners that still use CFC12 (CF2Cl2). These air conditioners are recharged from stockpiled supplies of CFC12. If each of the 100 million automobiles contains 1.0 kg of CFC12 and leaks 30 % of its CFC12 into the atmosphere per year, how much chlorine, in kg, is added to the atmosphere each year due to auto air conditioners? (Assume two significant figures in your calculations.)
Explanation / Answer
molecular weight of CCl2F2=12+2*35.5+2*19 =121
30% of CFC leaks into the atmosphere , CFC leaking = 0.3 Kg/year
121 kg of CFC contains 71 kg of Cl2
0.3 kg contains 0.3*71/121=0.18 kg/year is added to atmosphere.